PROTEST TARGETS MCKEON ACTION RODRIGUEZ BACKERS RALLY FOR VETERANS.

Byline: CAROL ROCK Staff Writer

NEWHALL -- A group concerned about preserving the rights and benefits of veterans met Wednesday at the Historical Veterans Plaza in Newhall.

The get-together was sponsored by supporters of Robert Rodriguez, a Democrat challenging U.S. Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, in the Nov. 7 election for the 25th District seat.

Sheri Ruxton, 58, who has had family members in the military since the Revolutionary War, said she was there to protest ``lip service'' offered to veterans.

``It's a disgrace to see Congress wrapping themselves in the flag while they quietly pull benefits away from veterans,'' she said.

Organizers were particularly upset about McKeon's recent dismissal of an amendment to the Military Family Support Act, which had been tacked on to the 2007 Department of Defense Authorization bill.

The amendment would have directed federal agencies to allow employees caring for children whose parents are deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan to use leave donated by co-workers before using their own family leave. It also would encourage private-sector companies to grant employees paid leave to care for children of deployed troops.

The proposal, authored by Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., was approved by a voice vote in the Senate and referred to the House Education and Work Force Committee, chaired by McKeon. McKeon determined that the proposal was unnecessary because laws allowing flexible leave time are already on the books.

``The secretary of labor has the ability to grant that now and there are pilot programs in place to help those families,'' said Steve Forde, communications director for McKeon's Washington office. ``The supporters of the measure acknowledged that the language was already in place. The second portion of the measure was to direct federal employers to act, but they don't fall under the committee's jurisdiction.''

Rodriguez's supporters contend that this action is one of several by Congress against the interests of service members and veterans during McKeon's term in office.

Frank Ford, 78, a retired school administrator, has a son in the Army reserve and is concerned about veterans' rights in general. He wants to make sure returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are provided health care to ensure their full recoveries.

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Congressional candidate Robert Rodriguez, center, left of the sign, speaks to supporters about preserving veterans' rights at the Historical Veterans Plaza in Newhall on Wednesday.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer